The Blues’ 2-1 win over John Sheridan’s Plymouth yesterday was only a second in their last nine matches.

I was disappointed with the goal but we defended well as a unit and thoroughly deserved the victory

Andy Awford

Regardless, it was achieved courtesy of an impressive second-half showing, with goals arriving from Jed Wallace and Ryan Taylor.

Olly Lee pulled one back for the Pilgrims, but the Blues held on for the three points over the play-off contenders.

The previous 45 minutes had been completely forgettable for those in attendance.

But for Awford it was the second-half display which ensured they collected the triumph they warranted.

He said: ‘I was disappointed with the goal we conceded, but overall we defended well as a unit and thoroughly deserved the victory.

‘An early goal always gives you a lift, whether it is at the start of the game or just after half-time, and that’s what Jed did. It creates that bit of belief, it got the fans going and also supplied that extra bit of confidence.

‘The first half I thought both teams struggled, it wasn’t the greatest advert for League Two football. We needed to improve after the break and we did.

‘They were two great goals – Jed’s is an individual one where he comes in and shoots, while Dan Butler’s ball is really inviting for Ryan Taylor to come and attack.

‘With Ryan’s, I don’t know if their defender thought the keeper was coming, but Ryan has done what he does and finished it well.

‘It was a tight game in the first half, the chances we had were from their poor play and the chances they had were from our poor play. There were a few too many mistakes for probably mine and John’s (Sheridan) liking.

‘But in the second half we were the better team, created a lot more and also defended well.’